Registries for Evaluating Patient Outcomes

Download Registries for Evaluating Patient Outcomes PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Government Printing Office
ISBN 13 : 1587634333
Total Pages : 385 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (876 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Registries for Evaluating Patient Outcomes by : Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality/AHRQ

Download or read book Registries for Evaluating Patient Outcomes written by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality/AHRQ and published by Government Printing Office. This book was released on 2014-04-01 with total page 385 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This User’s Guide is intended to support the design, implementation, analysis, interpretation, and quality evaluation of registries created to increase understanding of patient outcomes. For the purposes of this guide, a patient registry is an organized system that uses observational study methods to collect uniform data (clinical and other) to evaluate specified outcomes for a population defined by a particular disease, condition, or exposure, and that serves one or more predetermined scientific, clinical, or policy purposes. A registry database is a file (or files) derived from the registry. Although registries can serve many purposes, this guide focuses on registries created for one or more of the following purposes: to describe the natural history of disease, to determine clinical effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of health care products and services, to measure or monitor safety and harm, and/or to measure quality of care. Registries are classified according to how their populations are defined. For example, product registries include patients who have been exposed to biopharmaceutical products or medical devices. Health services registries consist of patients who have had a common procedure, clinical encounter, or hospitalization. Disease or condition registries are defined by patients having the same diagnosis, such as cystic fibrosis or heart failure. The User’s Guide was created by researchers affiliated with AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program, particularly those who participated in AHRQ’s DEcIDE (Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions About Effectiveness) program. Chapters were subject to multiple internal and external independent reviews.

The Prevention and Treatment of Missing Data in Clinical Trials

Download The Prevention and Treatment of Missing Data in Clinical Trials PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 030918651X
Total Pages : 163 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Prevention and Treatment of Missing Data in Clinical Trials by : National Research Council

Download or read book The Prevention and Treatment of Missing Data in Clinical Trials written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2010-12-21 with total page 163 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Randomized clinical trials are the primary tool for evaluating new medical interventions. Randomization provides for a fair comparison between treatment and control groups, balancing out, on average, distributions of known and unknown factors among the participants. Unfortunately, these studies often lack a substantial percentage of data. This missing data reduces the benefit provided by the randomization and introduces potential biases in the comparison of the treatment groups. Missing data can arise for a variety of reasons, including the inability or unwillingness of participants to meet appointments for evaluation. And in some studies, some or all of data collection ceases when participants discontinue study treatment. Existing guidelines for the design and conduct of clinical trials, and the analysis of the resulting data, provide only limited advice on how to handle missing data. Thus, approaches to the analysis of data with an appreciable amount of missing values tend to be ad hoc and variable. The Prevention and Treatment of Missing Data in Clinical Trials concludes that a more principled approach to design and analysis in the presence of missing data is both needed and possible. Such an approach needs to focus on two critical elements: (1) careful design and conduct to limit the amount and impact of missing data and (2) analysis that makes full use of information on all randomized participants and is based on careful attention to the assumptions about the nature of the missing data underlying estimates of treatment effects. In addition to the highest priority recommendations, the book offers more detailed recommendations on the conduct of clinical trials and techniques for analysis of trial data.

Finding What Works in Health Care

Download Finding What Works in Health Care PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309164257
Total Pages : 267 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Finding What Works in Health Care by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Finding What Works in Health Care written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2011-07-20 with total page 267 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Healthcare decision makers in search of reliable information that compares health interventions increasingly turn to systematic reviews for the best summary of the evidence. Systematic reviews identify, select, assess, and synthesize the findings of similar but separate studies, and can help clarify what is known and not known about the potential benefits and harms of drugs, devices, and other healthcare services. Systematic reviews can be helpful for clinicians who want to integrate research findings into their daily practices, for patients to make well-informed choices about their own care, for professional medical societies and other organizations that develop clinical practice guidelines. Too often systematic reviews are of uncertain or poor quality. There are no universally accepted standards for developing systematic reviews leading to variability in how conflicts of interest and biases are handled, how evidence is appraised, and the overall scientific rigor of the process. In Finding What Works in Health Care the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends 21 standards for developing high-quality systematic reviews of comparative effectiveness research. The standards address the entire systematic review process from the initial steps of formulating the topic and building the review team to producing a detailed final report that synthesizes what the evidence shows and where knowledge gaps remain. Finding What Works in Health Care also proposes a framework for improving the quality of the science underpinning systematic reviews. This book will serve as a vital resource for both sponsors and producers of systematic reviews of comparative effectiveness research.

A National Cancer Clinical Trials System for the 21st Century

Download A National Cancer Clinical Trials System for the 21st Century PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309157870
Total Pages : 317 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis A National Cancer Clinical Trials System for the 21st Century by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book A National Cancer Clinical Trials System for the 21st Century written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2010-07-08 with total page 317 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Clinical Trials Cooperative Group Program has played a key role in developing new and improved cancer therapies. However, the program is falling short of its potential, and the IOM recommends changes that aim to transform the Cooperative Group Program into a dynamic system that efficiently responds to emerging scientific knowledge; involves broad cooperation of stakeholders; and leverages evolving technologies to provide high-quality, practice-changing research.

Developing a Protocol for Observational Comparative Effectiveness Research: A User's Guide

Download Developing a Protocol for Observational Comparative Effectiveness Research: A User's Guide PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Government Printing Office
ISBN 13 : 1587634236
Total Pages : 236 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (876 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Developing a Protocol for Observational Comparative Effectiveness Research: A User's Guide by : Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (U.S.)

Download or read book Developing a Protocol for Observational Comparative Effectiveness Research: A User's Guide written by Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (U.S.) and published by Government Printing Office. This book was released on 2013-02-21 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This User’s Guide is a resource for investigators and stakeholders who develop and review observational comparative effectiveness research protocols. It explains how to (1) identify key considerations and best practices for research design; (2) build a protocol based on these standards and best practices; and (3) judge the adequacy and completeness of a protocol. Eleven chapters cover all aspects of research design, including: developing study objectives, defining and refining study questions, addressing the heterogeneity of treatment effect, characterizing exposure, selecting a comparator, defining and measuring outcomes, and identifying optimal data sources. Checklists of guidance and key considerations for protocols are provided at the end of each chapter. The User’s Guide was created by researchers affiliated with AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program, particularly those who participated in AHRQ’s DEcIDE (Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions About Effectiveness) program. Chapters were subject to multiple internal and external independent reviews. More more information, please consult the Agency website: www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov)

An Approach to Evaluate the Effects of Concomitant Prescribing of Opioids and Benzodiazepines on Veteran Deaths and Suicides

Download An Approach to Evaluate the Effects of Concomitant Prescribing of Opioids and Benzodiazepines on Veteran Deaths and Suicides PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309495997
Total Pages : 111 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (94 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis An Approach to Evaluate the Effects of Concomitant Prescribing of Opioids and Benzodiazepines on Veteran Deaths and Suicides by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book An Approach to Evaluate the Effects of Concomitant Prescribing of Opioids and Benzodiazepines on Veteran Deaths and Suicides written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2019-10-16 with total page 111 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Opioid prescriptions for acute and chronic pain increased dramatically from the late 1990s into the current decade in both the civilian and the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense treatment environments. Similarly, prescriptions for benzodiazepines also increased significantly for anxiety and insomnia. Combinations of opioid and benzodiazepines have proven fatal when taken concurrently, with research demonstrating this phenomenon for nearly 40 years. This issue is exacerbated within the veteran population because of higher rates of pain, anxiety and other related health issues due to military life. An evaluation of the relationship between opioid and benzodiazepine medication practices at the VA is necessary to improve treatment for mental health and combat-related trauma for veterans. An Approach to Evaluate the Effects of Concomitant Prescribing of Opioids and Benzodiazepines on Veteran Deaths and Suicides investigates the effects of opioid initiation and tapering strategies in the presence of benzodiazepines in veterans. This report explores neurobiology and the principles of addiction and tolerance, in addition to the current use of opioids and benzodiazepines for treating pain and anxiety in both the veteran and general population. It also provides a protocol to evaluate the relationship between opioid and benzodiazepine medication practices. This framework is a critical foundation for further research to improve concomitant opioid and benzodiazepine medication practices for veterans and the general population.

Field Trials of Health Interventions

Download Field Trials of Health Interventions PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 0198732864
Total Pages : 479 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (987 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Field Trials of Health Interventions by : Peter G. Smith

Download or read book Field Trials of Health Interventions written by Peter G. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 479 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC 4.0 International licence. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations. Before new interventions are released into disease control programmes, it is essential that they are carefully evaluated in field trials'. These may be complex and expensive undertakings, requiring the follow-up of hundreds, or thousands, of individuals, often for long periods. Descriptions of the detailed procedures and methods used in the trials that have been conducted have rarely been published. A consequence of this, individuals planning such trials have few guidelines available and little access to knowledge accumulated previously, other than their own. In this manual, practical issues in trial design and conduct are discussed fully and in sufficient detail, that Field Trials of Health Interventions may be used as a toolbox' by field investigators. It has been compiled by an international group of over 30 authors with direct experience in the design, conduct, and analysis of field trials in low and middle income countries and is based on their accumulated knowledge and experience. Available as an open access book via Oxford Medicine Online, this new edition is a comprehensive revision, incorporating the new developments that have taken place in recent years with respect to trials, including seven new chapters on subjects ranging from trial governance, and preliminary studies to pilot testing.

Sharing Clinical Trial Data

Download Sharing Clinical Trial Data PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309316324
Total Pages : 236 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (93 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Sharing Clinical Trial Data by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Sharing Clinical Trial Data written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2015-04-20 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Data sharing can accelerate new discoveries by avoiding duplicative trials, stimulating new ideas for research, and enabling the maximal scientific knowledge and benefits to be gained from the efforts of clinical trial participants and investigators. At the same time, sharing clinical trial data presents risks, burdens, and challenges. These include the need to protect the privacy and honor the consent of clinical trial participants; safeguard the legitimate economic interests of sponsors; and guard against invalid secondary analyses, which could undermine trust in clinical trials or otherwise harm public health. Sharing Clinical Trial Data presents activities and strategies for the responsible sharing of clinical trial data. With the goal of increasing scientific knowledge to lead to better therapies for patients, this book identifies guiding principles and makes recommendations to maximize the benefits and minimize risks. This report offers guidance on the types of clinical trial data available at different points in the process, the points in the process at which each type of data should be shared, methods for sharing data, what groups should have access to data, and future knowledge and infrastructure needs. Responsible sharing of clinical trial data will allow other investigators to replicate published findings and carry out additional analyses, strengthen the evidence base for regulatory and clinical decisions, and increase the scientific knowledge gained from investments by the funders of clinical trials. The recommendations of Sharing Clinical Trial Data will be useful both now and well into the future as improved sharing of data leads to a stronger evidence base for treatment. This book will be of interest to stakeholders across the spectrum of research-from funders, to researchers, to journals, to physicians, and ultimately, to patients.

Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions

Download Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Wiley
ISBN 13 : 9780470699515
Total Pages : 672 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (995 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions by : Julian P. T. Higgins

Download or read book Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions written by Julian P. T. Higgins and published by Wiley. This book was released on 2008-11-24 with total page 672 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Healthcare providers, consumers, researchers and policy makers are inundated with unmanageable amounts of information, including evidence from healthcare research. It has become impossible for all to have the time and resources to find, appraise and interpret this evidence and incorporate it into healthcare decisions. Cochrane Reviews respond to this challenge by identifying, appraising and synthesizing research-based evidence and presenting it in a standardized format, published in The Cochrane Library (www.thecochranelibrary.com). The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions contains methodological guidance for the preparation and maintenance of Cochrane intervention reviews. Written in a clear and accessible format, it is the essential manual for all those preparing, maintaining and reading Cochrane reviews. Many of the principles and methods described here are appropriate for systematic reviews applied to other types of research and to systematic reviews of interventions undertaken by others. It is hoped therefore that this book will be invaluable to all those who want to understand the role of systematic reviews, critically appraise published reviews or perform reviews themselves.

Transforming Clinical Research in the United States

Download Transforming Clinical Research in the United States PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309163358
Total Pages : 151 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Transforming Clinical Research in the United States by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Transforming Clinical Research in the United States written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2010-10-22 with total page 151 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An ideal health care system relies on efficiently generating timely, accurate evidence to deliver on its promise of diminishing the divide between clinical practice and research. There are growing indications, however, that the current health care system and the clinical research that guides medical decisions in the United States falls far short of this vision. The process of generating medical evidence through clinical trials in the United States is expensive and lengthy, includes a number of regulatory hurdles, and is based on a limited infrastructure. The link between clinical research and medical progress is also frequently misunderstood or unsupported by both patients and providers. The focus of clinical research changes as diseases emerge and new treatments create cures for old conditions. As diseases evolve, the ultimate goal remains to speed new and improved medical treatments to patients throughout the world. To keep pace with rapidly changing health care demands, clinical research resources need to be organized and on hand to address the numerous health care questions that continually emerge. Improving the overall capacity of the clinical research enterprise will depend on ensuring that there is an adequate infrastructure in place to support the investigators who conduct research, the patients with real diseases who volunteer to participate in experimental research, and the institutions that organize and carry out the trials. To address these issues and better understand the current state of clinical research in the United States, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation held a 2-day workshop entitled Transforming Clinical Research in the United States. The workshop, summarized in this volume, laid the foundation for a broader initiative of the Forum addressing different aspects of clinical research. Future Forum plans include further examining regulatory, administrative, and structural barriers to the effective conduct of clinical research; developing a vision for a stable, continuously funded clinical research infrastructure in the United States; and considering strategies and collaborative activities to facilitate more robust public engagement in the clinical research enterprise.

Handbook of Statistics in Clinical Oncology

Download Handbook of Statistics in Clinical Oncology PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : CRC Press
ISBN 13 : 142002776X
Total Pages : 642 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (2 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Handbook of Statistics in Clinical Oncology by : John Crowley

Download or read book Handbook of Statistics in Clinical Oncology written by John Crowley and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2005-12-01 with total page 642 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A compendium of cutting-edge statistical approaches to solving problems in clinical oncology, Handbook of Statistics in Clinical Oncology, Second Edition focuses on clinical trials in phases I, II, and III, proteomic and genomic studies, complementary outcomes and exploratory methods. Cancer Forum called the first edition a

Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use

Download Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : World Health Organization
ISBN 13 : 9241563885
Total Pages : 130 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (415 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use by :

Download or read book Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use written by and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2010 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use reviews the medical eligibility criteria for use of contraception, offering guidance on the safety and use of different methods for women and men with specific characteristics or known medical conditions. The recommendations are based on systematic reviews of available clinical and epidemiological research. It is a companion guideline to Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use. Together, these documents are intended to be used by policy-makers, program managers, and the scientific community to support national programs in the preparation of service delivery guidelines. The fourth edition of this useful resource supersedes previous editions, and has been fully updated and expanded. It includes over 86 new recommendations and 165 updates to recommendations in the previous edition. Guidance for populations with special needs is now provided, and a new annex details evidence on drug interactions from concomitant use of antiretroviral therapies and hormonal contraceptives. To assist users familiar with the third edition, new and updated recommendations are highlighted. Everyone involved in providing family planning services and contraception should have the fourth edition of Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use at hand.

Central Nervous System Metastases

Download Central Nervous System Metastases PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 3030234177
Total Pages : 411 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (32 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Central Nervous System Metastases by : Manmeet Ahluwalia

Download or read book Central Nervous System Metastases written by Manmeet Ahluwalia and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2019-11-05 with total page 411 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a comprehensive overview of brain metastases, from the molecular biology aspects to therapeutic management and perspectives. Due to the increasing incidence of these tumors and the urgent need to effectively control brain metastatic diseases in these patients, new therapeutic strategies have emerged in recent years. The volume discusses all these innovative approaches combined with new surgical techniques (fluorescence, functional mapping, integrated navigation), novel radiation therapy techniques (stereotactic radiosurgery) and new systemic treatment approaches such as targeted- and immunotherapy. These combination strategies represent a new therapeutic model in brain metastatic patients in which each medical practitioner (neurosurgeon, neurologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist) plays a pivotal role in defining the optimal treatment in a multidisciplinary approach. Written by recognized experts in the field, this book is a valuable tool for neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, neuroradiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, cognitive therapists, basic scientists and students working in the area of brain tumors.

Model Rules of Professional Conduct

Download Model Rules of Professional Conduct PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : American Bar Association
ISBN 13 : 9781590318737
Total Pages : 216 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (187 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Model Rules of Professional Conduct by : American Bar Association. House of Delegates

Download or read book Model Rules of Professional Conduct written by American Bar Association. House of Delegates and published by American Bar Association. This book was released on 2007 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

A History and Theory of Informed Consent

Download A History and Theory of Informed Consent PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN 13 : 0195036867
Total Pages : 409 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (95 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis A History and Theory of Informed Consent by : Ruth R. Faden

Download or read book A History and Theory of Informed Consent written by Ruth R. Faden and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 1986 with total page 409 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A timely, authoritative discussion of an important clincial topic, this useful book outlines the history, function, nature and requirements of informed consent, focusing on patient autonomy as central to the concept. Primarily a philosophical analysis, the book also covers legal aspects, with chapters on disclosure, comprehension, and competence.

Cancer Incidence and Survival Among Children and Adolescents

Download Cancer Incidence and Survival Among Children and Adolescents PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 194 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (327 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Cancer Incidence and Survival Among Children and Adolescents by :

Download or read book Cancer Incidence and Survival Among Children and Adolescents written by and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Clinical Trials in Oncology, Third Edition

Download Clinical Trials in Oncology, Third Edition PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : CRC Press
ISBN 13 : 1439814481
Total Pages : 266 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (398 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Clinical Trials in Oncology, Third Edition by : Stephanie Green

Download or read book Clinical Trials in Oncology, Third Edition written by Stephanie Green and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2012-05-09 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The third edition of the bestselling Clinical Trials in Oncology provides a concise, nontechnical, and thoroughly up-to-date review of methods and issues related to cancer clinical trials. The authors emphasize the importance of proper study design, analysis, and data management and identify the pitfalls inherent in these processes. In addition, the book has been restructured to have separate chapters and expanded discussions on general clinical trials issues, and issues specific to Phases I, II, and III. New sections cover innovations in Phase I designs, randomized Phase II designs, and overcoming the challenges of array data. Although this book focuses on cancer trials, the same issues and concepts are important in any clinical setting. As always, the authors use clear, lucid prose and a multitude of real-world examples to convey the principles of successful trials without the need for a strong statistics or mathematics background. Armed with Clinical Trials in Oncology, Third Edition, clinicians and statisticians can avoid the many hazards that can jeopardize the success of a trial.